Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

Sort By

Category

Show Advanced Options

Clear Filters |

Community engagement

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from the 437th Airlift Wing is parked on the flight line at Saipan International Airport, Jan. 20, 2026. The aircraft was part of exercise Palmetto Reach, which included community engagement events to build rapport with local populations and strengthen civic relations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler McQuiston)

Details Download

Aerial pit-stop

An F-15 Eagle with the 159th Fighter Wing receives mid-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling Wing during Sentry Aloha off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 15, 2026. The exercise provides cost-effective and realistic, large-scale training scenarios to prepare warfighters and support the Air National Guard’s role as a crucial component of the nation’s operational force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Lauren Kmiec)

Details Download

Dark skies ahead

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the Hawaii Air National Guard taxis at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Hawaii, Jan. 14, 2026, during exercise Sentry Aloha. The exercise provides realistic fighter training and integration opportunities to support homeland defense and overseas missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Sulaica)

Details Download

Leading the airways

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach takes off in an F-22 Raptor at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 15, 2026. During his visit, Wilsbach flew the aircraft to reaffirm the importance of technical excellence and leadership at all levels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

Details Download

Dashing through the snow

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 35th Fighter Wing takes off during Beverly Sunrise 26-02 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 14, 2026. Operating in winter enhances the unit’s cold-weather proficiency, enabling the 35th FW to maintain a persistent and reliable presence regardless of climate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

Details Download

Sentry Aloha

An F-22 Raptor with the Hawaii Air National Guard 154th Wing retreats after mid-flight refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 128th Air Refueling wing during Sentry Aloha off the coast of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 14, 2026. The exercise provides cost-effective and realistic, large-scale training scenarios to prepare warfighters and support the Air National Guard’s role as a crucial component of the nation’s operational force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amelia Buell)

Details Download

Learning in the lab

Cadet 1st Class Parker Fitzgerald works at a computer in the Multi-Domain Lab at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 14, 2026. Cadets study military strategy, doctrine, heritage and professionalism while developing the skills required to serve as officers in the Air Force and Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Details Download

Dragon at the ready

Airmen assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshal a U-2 Dragon Lady during exercise Dragon Shield at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 4, 2026. The exercise tested the squadron’s ability to generate aircraft in a simulated contested environment while operating under austere conditions and varying mission-oriented protective posture levels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Frederick Brown)

Details Download

Under the dome

U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Shaun Campbell, 5th Air Force command chief, inspects the radar dome of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2026. Campbell met with Airmen and senior leaders during the visit to gain insight into the 18th Wing’s mission and operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson)

Details Download

Hercules in flight

A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 700th Airlift Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., flies over Yonah Mountain, Ga., Jan. 12, 2026. The C-130 supports a wide range of airlift missions, providing flexible and responsive capability for training and operational requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Gage Daniel)

Details Download

Commanding view

Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, and Staff Sgt. Tory Steen, a loadmaster with the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, rest on the ramp of an HC-130J Combat King II overlooking an area near Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 10, 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Clevenger)

Details Download

Upside down

Tech. Sgt. Abigail Edwards, a search and extraction medic with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, is suspended during a rope confidence exercise at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2026. The training builds the skills and confidence needed to extract injured personnel from difficult locations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Samir Harris)

Details Download

Historic moment

A T-7A Red Hawk is displayed during its arrival ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Jan. 9, 2026. The 99th Flying Training Squadron is the first Air Force unit to receive the new aircraft, which replaces the T-38 Talon and modernizes pilot training for Air Education and Training Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Zelideth Rodriguez)

Details Download

Red light ops

Staff Sgt. Joshua Lapooh, a tactical air control party specialist with the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, documents targeting information during a night training exercise at Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, Jan. 9, 2026. The specialists directed A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron through training gun runs to improve their proficiency in supporting ground forces in low-light conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mercedee Wilds)

Details Download

Honoring Ol’ Glory

Honor Guard members with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing fold an American flag during a flag retirement ceremony in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 9, 2025. During the ceremony, Airmen respectfully folded the flag, placed it on a ceremonial fire and later buried the ashes, a tradition symbolizing honor, service and the enduring values the flag represents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Paige Weldon)

Details Download

Leading from the line

Col. Mark Hamilton, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, fires an M4 carbine during combat arms training and maintenance qualification at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 9, 2026. Senior leaders train alongside Airmen to reinforce core skills and readiness required to sustain the wing’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)

Details Download

Attention to detail

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Sullivan, 57th Wing commander, conducts a walk-around inspection of an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 9, 2026. Sullivan observed flight operations and engaged with aircrew as part of routine leadership oversight. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

Details Download

Gateway to the Air Force

Trainees from Flights 081-097 march in the 737th Training Group's graduation parade at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026. The ceremony marks their transition to Airmen upon completion of Air Force Basic Military Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ismael Ortega)

Details Download

First mission

An MH-139A Grey Wolf with the 40th Helicopter Squadron conducts its first operational mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Jan. 8, 2026. The mission marked the beginning of the replacement of the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey and represented a key step in modernizing security for the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Teniya Caldwell)

Details Download

Release the Kraken

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing takes off during exercise Kraken Reach 2026 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Jan. 8, 2026. The exercise focused on rapidly generating and launching multiple C-17 aircraft to test airlift readiness and response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colleen Anthony)

Details Download